Americorps

eulesseagle · March 27, 2009

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/...l-41889742.html

read the comments below the article.............it about says it all.

UNTflyer · March 27, 2009

While an update states these provisions have been deleted, it's disturbing they were ever there in the first place.

...the legislation threatens the voluntary nature of Americorps by calling for consideration of “a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people.”

Not just "No", but "HELL NO!"

It anticipates the possibility of requiring “all individuals in the United States” to perform such service – including elementary school students.

Seriously?

eulessismore · March 27, 2009

I guess I'd have to read the entire text of the legislation (and who does that?) to believe that Congress would have such nerve. I was listening to an interview of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn once, when he described having proposed that students receiving guaranteed (by the government) student loans be required to perform some kind of public service. He said he couldn't get any other senator as a cosponsor for it.

oldguystudent · March 27, 2009

I guess I'd have to read the entire text of the legislation (and who does that?) to believe that Congress would have such nerve. I was listening to an interview of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn once, when he described having proposed that students receiving guaranteed (by the government) student loans be required to perform some kind of public service. He said he couldn't get any other senator as a cosponsor for it.

Sounds good on paper, but tying student debt to government service is a sure way to raise criticisms of classism and racism. Same thing is what got rid of the ole "You can go to jail or you can join the military." choice that was given to minor offenders back in the day.

hickoryhouse · March 27, 2009

I'm sorry but.... Mandatory service requirement?

Is it just me or are these the same people that were falsely and maliciously claiming that Bush was going to reinstate the draft in order to scare people about his dictatorial tendencies?

Apart from the guns, what is the difference with this? This seems very hypocritical to me.

GBarksdale · March 27, 2009

Here's the text...

Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act

Censored by Laurie · March 27, 2009

Seems like this bill is just trying to make America better. No surprise that you America hating conservatives are trying to shoot it down.

God Bless the Americorps!

meangreendork · March 27, 2009

CBL, hope you're being sarcastic.

However, I do like Americorps and what it does now, and the positive impact it can have.

The state of Israel puts a mandatory military service burden on all of its citizens. It's a preventative measure to ensure that everyone there at least has some semblance of fighting knowledge, and it also helps maintain a standing military. Of course, there are post-service benefits that they get for this. I'm kind of thinking, "hey, what's wrong with a little civil service?".

It depends on how you do this whole thing. I think some colleges set up mandatory community service for their students to graduate, depending on their major. But they allow the student to do it via X-numbers of whatever community volunteer work. Doing civil service work in exchange for college money isn't a bad thing. I mean, that is in essence, what the Montgomery GI Bill is all about anyways. You know, "join the service, serve your country, then let your country serve you by helping you get at least most of your first degree".

Voluntary, non-uniformed is fine. But when it starts to reach towards military stuff, I'm gonna have to stamp a 'NO' on that.

I'd suggest that everyone read other sources that aren't coming out of an opinion column before they make a yes/no on the bill as it stands. OP/ED is really not the best place to grab factual info.

Edited March 27, 2009 by meangreendork

UNTflyer · March 27, 2009

The state of Israel puts a mandatory military service burden on all of its citizens. It's a preventative measure to ensure that everyone there at least has some semblance of fighting knowledge, and it also helps maintain a standing military. Of course, there are post-service benefits that they get for this. I'm kind of thinking, "hey, what's wrong with a little civil service?".

There is a HUGE difference. In Israel, military service is compensated. They get something in return for the state's requirement of military service.

This plan forces you to "volunteer" your labor and receive nothing in return. It's slavery.

KRAM1 · March 27, 2009

The Obama administration and its "puppet" of a congress at this point (that could change as not all appears to be well in the democrat house these days) create a real loose canon firing one liberal and leftist/socialist idea after another. Amazing times in these great United States these days. The "good news" so far is that many of these crack pot ideas will never see the light of day in the final analysis. But, just the idea that such things can even be thought to be "worthy" of consideration is spooky enough!

I have no problem with voluntary government service (I am an Air Force veteran after all)...military or civilian...and think such service is good for both the country and the individual volunteer. It's all in the details of how it is presented and how it is run...the above ideas for Americorps are just plain WRONG. Hopefully, wiser heads will prevail.

eulesseagle · March 28, 2009

this is nothing more than indocrination of the young starting with elementary school kids. this is the same as the hitler youth and the young communist league of stalin is getting ready to be implemented in Amerika by comrade obama. nobody seems to be worried??

comrade obama is nationalizing the banking industry.

comrade obama has been able to pass a larger budget than 'ALL COMBINED' budgets since Washington. nobody seems to be worried??

with the deficit that Amerika now has we can not even be considered to join the EU. nobody seems to be worried??

as much as socialist europe is they are even, overtly, telling our administration NOT to take this path of wild spending.

china already owns most of our debt. nobody seems to be worried??

even if we are to survive the next four years and IF the republicans are able to recapture the government there has been NO time in our history where they, the republicans, have taken draconian measures off the books that were placed by the opposition party.

well, ya'll might as well start getting fitted for your uniforms and get ready to start taking orders to spy on your neighors and turn them in for subversive activities.

the dems are also trying to get a bill introduced to ban "third parties" because they will be considered subversive.

oldguystudent · March 28, 2009

with the deficit that Amerika now has we can not even be considered to join the EU. nobody seems to be worried??

Completely unrelated to anything in this thread, but why the hell would we want to join the EU? You think Obama's socialist? Have you looked at the way they do business in Europe?

UNTflyer · March 28, 2009

comrade obama has been able to pass a larger budget than 'ALL COMBINED' budgets since Washington. nobody seems to be worried??

OK, the budget is 3.5 trillion. That doesn't even come close to all the federal budgets since Washington combined. More like the federal budgets of the last 2 1/2 years combined. It is a HUGE budget to be sure. Combine that with the bailout money of $7.9 trillion and the $5.2 trillion in holdings dumped on the taxpayer by Fannie and Freddie... that's $16.6 trillion and counting.

Holy crap, the American people will pay the price for the next century.

Coffee and TV · March 28, 2009

this is nothing more than indocrination of the young starting with elementary school kids. this is the same as the hitler youth and the young communist league of stalin is getting ready to be implemented in Amerika by comrade obama. nobody seems to be worried??
comrade obama is nationalizing the banking industry.
comrade obama has been able to pass a larger budget than 'ALL COMBINED' budgets since Washington. nobody seems to be worried??
with the deficit that Amerika now has we can not even be considered to join the EU. nobody seems to be worried??
as much as socialist europe is they are even, overtly, telling our administration NOT to take this path of wild spending.
china already owns most of our debt. nobody seems to be worried??
even if we are to survive the next four years and IF the republicans are able to recapture the government there has been NO time in our history where they, the republicans, have taken draconian measures off the books that were placed by the opposition party.
well, ya'll might as well start getting fitted for your uniforms and get ready to start taking orders to spy on your neighors and turn them in for subversive activities.
the dems are also trying to get a bill introduced to ban "third parties" because they will be considered subversive.

Buford_Julep · March 28, 2009

My daughter made her parents very proud when she voluntarily joined Americorps Vista immediately after graduating from college.

She was paid $500 a month, and at the end of one year's service she was given $5,500 that had to be used for paying educational expenses or student loans.

She worked with tribal leaders on the Apsáalooke (Crow) Indian reservation to teach parenting skills and how to recognize red flags for alcohol or drug abuse.

She helped low-income teenagers learn safe automobile driving skills.

She also worked in a program that helped parents with drug or alcohol problems to either keep or regain custody of their children and sometimes get one last chance to stay out of jail or prison.

Edited March 28, 2009 by Buford_Julep

eulesseagle · March 28, 2009

OK, the budget is 3.5 trillion. That doesn't even come close to all the federal budgets since Washington combined. More like the federal budgets of the last 2 1/2 years combined. It is a HUGE budget to be sure. Combine that with the bailout money of $7.9 trillion and the $5.2 trillion in holdings dumped on the taxpayer by Fannie and Freddie... that's $16.6 trillion and counting.
Holy crap, the American people will pay the price for the next century.

eulesseagle · March 28, 2009

OK, the budget is 3.5 trillion. That doesn't even come close to all the federal budgets since Washington combined. More like the federal budgets of the last 2 1/2 years combined. It is a HUGE budget to be sure. Combine that with the bailout money of $7.9 trillion and the $5.2 trillion in holdings dumped on the taxpayer by Fannie and Freddie... that's $16.6 trillion and counting.
Holy crap, the American people will pay the price for the next century.

i was being sarcastic to point out the size of the budget.....i didnt think anyone would take me literally.

eulesseagle · March 29, 2009

BJ-

IMHO, I was totally impressesed with your daughter spending time on the Crow Indian Reservation several years ago with AmeriCorp. Along with our mutual friend, meangreen lurker, non-poster and your old college roommate, billy glen of sherwood forest, she inherited not only your intelligence but also your compassion for others. You & your wife raised her well.

My point concerning the "new" AmeriCorp is the organization is moving in a different direction than when your lovely daughter was involved. One might say it is the anthesis of government evolution in organizations be it progressive, conservative or somewhere to the left, right or center of mainstream thought.

as ever....ee.

Buford_Julep · March 30, 2009

Thanks.

What is The Washington Examiner?

IMO, under Obama, Americorp will be better than ever.

At least we are proof that two people who are often on opposite sides of issues can remain friends.

eulesseagle · March 30, 2009

BJ-

After knowing you a little over 40 years I love you like a brother....no matter what side of the fence we, occasionally, are on.....sometimes the same & sometimes the opposite....